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Seahorses Rescued from Ghost Nets in Maharashtra
6 Jun
Summary
- Three seahorses were rescued from abandoned fishing nets.
- The rescued seahorses received care at a rehabilitation facility.
- Seahorses are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Act, 1972.
Three seahorses trapped in abandoned fishing nets in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district were rescued and successfully released back into their natural habitat. The rescue, conducted by a team from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the state forest department, involved seahorses found entangled in ghost fishing gear in Mirya, Kadbadevi, and Shirgaon creeks.
Following their rescue, the seahorses were transferred to the BNHS field station in Ratnagiri. There, they received specialized care and monitoring in a captive rehabilitation facility until they achieved full recovery. This critical phase ensured their health and readiness for reintroduction.
The protected animals, which are safeguarded under Schedule I of the Wildlife Act, 1972, were released at their original locations on June 4. This operation was a collaborative effort involving the Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation and the Maharashtra Forest Department's Mangrove Cell.
BNHS has been actively engaged in a seahorse conservation project along Maharashtra's coast since 2024. This project includes identifying crucial seagrass habitats and working with local fishermen to promote the reporting and rescue of seahorses accidentally caught in fishing operations, underscoring the importance of community and scientific collaboration.
